An Urgent Need 2 Corinthians 8:7: “7 But since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you— see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

The Corinthians’ Value System “3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

The Corinthians’ Value System “5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.”

The Corinthians’ Value System The allure of the “super apostles’” eloquence 2 Corinthians 11:6: “6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.”

The Corinthians’ Value System The allure of the “super apostles’” wealth 2 Corinthians 11:7: “7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?”

Evaluating People through Wealth We can evaluated ourselves and others through the lens of worldly wealth. Personally, this never satisfies. But it also proves sinister.

A Gospel-Centered Corrective 2 Corinthians 8:8: “I say this not as a command (as a law)….” 2 Corinthians 8:9: “9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

A Gospel-Centered Corrective Paul reminds us of our real poverty.

A Gospel-Centered Corrective Paul reminds us of our real poverty. Paul reminds us of the riches we receive through the Gospel.